Pain in the neck
More than half of folks report they had neck pain in the last six months. The causes can range from an acute muscle pull in your neck, shoulder or upper back, to stress, poor posture (slumping or craning toward your computer or phone screen), changes in your cervical discs (they compress over the decades), osteoarthritis, and even what's called coat hanger pain, which is associated with various neurological conditions, as well as low blood pressure when standing. Jaw problems and severe headaches can also trigger neck pain.
If you have an "attack," you want to reduce inflammation by icing the area for 10 minutes, and then applying a hot compress for 10 minutes. You may want to return to the ice -- doing a cold-hot-cold cycle keeps blood vessels narrow, which helps prevent inflammation from coming back. You also want to dispel stress. Try double-deep breathing, calling on your posse, and avoiding inflammation-causing foods like red and processed meats, added sugars and refined carbs. Also, make sure your posture is upright, your workspace is ergonomically designed, and your sleep position aligns your neck and spine.
If the pain becomes persistent or causes tingling down your arms, consult a doctor. Treatment can range from massage and physical therapy to corticosteroid injections and even surgery to repair misaligned discs or spinal stenosis.
For help creating a body-friendly routine and sticking to it, check out Dr. Roizen's book "The Great Age Reboot," and for help beating stress, check out Dr. Oz's YouTube video "Zen Master's Guide to Relieving Stress."
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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